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King Songtham

Songtham
ทรงธรรม
King of Ayutthaya kingdom
King of Siam
Reign 1620–1628
Predecessor Si Saowaphak
Successor Chettha
Born 1590
Died 1628
Issue Chetthathirat
Athittayawong
Phra Phanpi Si Sin
Sirithida
Full name
Songtham
Borommaracha I
House Sukhothai Dynasty
Father Ekatotsarot
Mother Wisutkasat
Full name
Songtham
Borommaracha I

Songtham (Thai: ทรงธรรม) was the King of Ayutthaya from 1620 to 1628 of the House of Sukhōday. His reign marked the prosperity of the Ayutthaya kingdom after it regained independence from Toungoo Dynasty, and saw the commencement of trade with foreign nations especially the Dutch and the Japanese. Songtham filled his guards with foreign mercenaries most notably the Japanese – Yamada Nagamasa.

Inthraracha was the eldest son of Ekatotsarot with his first class concubine. He was in the priesthood for 8 years before government servants asked his to leave and ascend the throne with the title Phrachao Songtham at the age of 29.

Ekatotsarot died in 1620 and was succeed by Si Saowaphak. Ruling less than a year, and showing no ability, he was murdered. Before his death, Japanese traders stormed the palace and took the king hostage. He was released only after promising not to harm any of the Japanese.

The Japanese rebels took the Sangharaja as a hostage until they could flee the country.

Prince Chula Chakrabongse states, "the king went insane before he died in 1620. His younger son, who had killed the elder brother when their father was alive but helpless, now seized the throne." He became King Songtam, "The Pious" or "The Just", after he repented his act.

Songtham was said to be very religious - both by the Siamese and van Vliet - as for his religious youth. His name Songtham was a posthumous reverence that means "maintaining the virtues". His reign was the glamorous time for Siamese peasants who were free from wars and suppression. The most prominent achievement in his reign was the discovery of Buddha's Footprint at Saraburi. Songtham ordered the construction of a temple over the footprint - the footprint itself can still be seen today. From Songtham onwards, Ayutthayan kings paid annual respect to the Buddha's Footprint in a grand river procession.

On martial affairs, however, King Songhtam was less successful. In 1621 himself led Siamese armies into Cambodia to bring the kingdom under control but was repelled by King Sri Suriyopor of Oudong. Songtham sent his brother Uparaja Si Sin to invade again in 1622 and failed. Also in 1622 King Anaukpetlun of Pegu took Tavoy away from the Siamese.


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